Washington, D.C. has become a battleground—not just for politics, but for safety, order, and national security. Now, under President Donald Trump’s leadership, the federal government is stepping in to restore peace to a city that has spiraled into lawlessness over the past decade. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro is leading the charge, and she’s made it clear: the goal is to make the nation’s capital safe again—for everyone.
This is about more than just crime. Washington, D.C., as the seat of American power, is a symbol to the world. But when violent crime runs unchecked in the capital, it sends a dangerous message. It tells our enemies that our government cannot even secure its own streets. It tells foreign powers that our law enforcement is weak and indecisive. And it gives criminal gangs, both domestic and international, a foothold in the very heart of our republic.
That is why the Trump administration has federalized the Metropolitan Police Department and deployed the National Guard to restore order. This is not a violation of rights. It is a defense of them. As Pirro said, “The first order of government is the protection of its people.” You cannot have liberty without law. You cannot have a free society when innocent Americans are shot, robbed, or assaulted because the justice system is too afraid—or too broken—to act.
The numbers tell a grim story. In just the first half of 2025, 19 young adults—mostly minorities—were killed in D.C. by other young people who felt no fear of law enforcement. Many of these attackers were under 18, shielded by a juvenile court system more focused on rehabilitation than justice. Pirro is pushing to change that by lowering the age for prosecution, making sure that violent teens face real consequences.
Some critics say this is harsh. But what’s truly harsh is allowing law-abiding families to live in fear while repeat offenders walk free. What’s harsh is telling the parents of a murdered teenager that the killer will be out of family court in a few months. Accountability isn’t cruelty—it’s justice.
The breakdown in criminal enforcement didn’t happen overnight. Over the past few years, under weak progressive leadership, D.C. became a sanctuary for crime. Prosecutors refused to bring charges. Police were demoralized. The city’s leaders turned a blind eye to gangs, carjackings, and armed robberies. The results were predictable: chaos on the streets and fear in the hearts of everyday citizens.
Now, that tide is turning. Since the law enforcement crackdown began, hundreds have been arrested. According to FBI Director Kash Patel, dozens were taken into custody in a single night last weekend. This is what a functioning justice system looks like: laws being enforced without apology, criminals being held accountable, and neighborhoods being reclaimed by their rightful residents.
Of course, the left is pushing back. Some government employees are even lashing out. One Justice Department staffer, Sean Charles Dunn, threw a Subway sandwich in the face of a federal officer during a protest. He was arrested and charged with a felony. Attorney General Pam Bondi made it clear: no one is above the law, not even bureaucrats who think they’re untouchable.
America’s enemies—both foreign and domestic—watch how we respond to internal disorder. If we show weakness, they will exploit it. If we show strength, they will think twice. That’s why what happens in Washington, D.C., matters for the whole country. It’s not just about cleaning up one city. It’s about proving that the United States is still a nation of law and order, and that the government will stand up for its people.
Pirro put it best: “We’re supposed to be that shining city on the hill.” That can’t happen if the streets of our capital are ruled by gangs and fear. The Trump administration is making the hard choices necessary to protect our citizens and preserve our national security. The world is watching. And now, finally, America is standing tall again.